Imtiaz Sait-trained Geographique capitalized on a significant 6.5 kg weight advantage to secure an exciting win in the Gr 2 President of India Gold Cup, the feature event of Sunday’s races held at Hyderabad's Malakpet racecourse. The race, once a prestigious Group 1 contest run under weight-for-age terms, has seen its status downgraded, opening the door for outcomes where the best horse doesn't always claim victory. This time, the scales tipped in favor of Geographique.

Adhirajsingh Jodha’s Dyf, a proven long-distance performer, found the odds stacked against him due to the unfavorable weight conditions. Jockey Suraj Narredu, riding Geographique, executed a brilliant race strategy. He pushed the pace early, ensuring that Dyf, ridden by Trevor Patel, had to cover extra ground under top weight. Narredu's tactics paid off as Dyf had to expend significant energy to close the gap, leaving him vulnerable in the final stretch.

Despite the fact that Dyf was conceding so much of weight to a well performed horse like Geographique who was also at ease over the mile and half trip, punters refused to look beyond the five year old horse and made him on money favourite, with Geographique alone among the rest commanding some respect. Pissaro was pushed hard to take charge to set the pace followed by Geographique while Dyf was in the third position several lengths adrift followed by the local pair of Truth and Mysterious Angel.

Suraj perhaps had his strategy well calculated as he urged Geographique to move up briskly much before the final bend, causing Trevor to react and bring Geographique closer. Dyf covered ground and drew level in the straight. The two top jockeys on their respective mounts went all out and just when it looked that the battle will last all the way to the wire, Dyf tired out and Geographique managed to pull away to win by more than a length. Truth was third a distance behind Dyf. Suraj Narredu’s calculated run and strategic brilliance tilted the scales and sealed the victory for Geographique. It was a true masterclass in both tactical execution and weight management!

Suraj guided Nilesh Rawal’s Mountain Touch to a decisive victory over the game Brilliant Blue in the 1400-metre Nearco Plate, a race for horses rated 40 to 65. Satheesh-trained Rolls Royce set the early pace but faded in the final furlong. Brilliant Blue then took charge, only to be challenged by Mountain Touch, who surged forward to assert his superiority close to home, winning comfortably. Rani Ruckus made a late move to grab third place.

Meanwhile, in the 1800-metre Director General of Police Cup, Leo D’Silva-trained Magnus delivered an emphatic win over the Bangalore challenger Magnum, trained by Faraz Arshad. Magnum, backed heavily due to being a good performer from Bangalore, was expected to dominate. However, Magnus, with jockey Afroz Khan in the saddle, took the lead early and built an uncontested margin. Despite Suraj Narredu’s quick response, Magnus pulled away further in the final stages, finishing five lengths ahead of Magnum. Ashwa Gajraj came in third.

In another exciting race, Laxman Singh-trained Clarity attracted significant betting support despite a lackluster previous run in the Narayanpet Plate (Div I), a race for maiden three-year-olds. That’s My Mission led the field with a strong pace, with Clarity sitting second. As they entered the final furlong, That’s My Mission appeared poised for an upset but tired in the last 100 metres, allowing Clarity to close the gap under jockey Sai Kumar. Clarity overhauled the leader and then held off a late charge from Skyward, winning by just under a length. That’s My Mission weakened into third, though this performance suggests better things to come in future races.

In the lower division of the Narayanpet Plate, Leo D’Silva-trained Iconic Star set the pace from the start but faltered in the final stages, ultimately losing to High Heels, guided by B R Kumar and trained by Ravinder Singh. Jockey Afroz Khan had Iconic Star establish the lead within the first furlong and maintain it well into the straight. However, as the race neared its conclusion, Iconic Star began to tire and could not withstand the challenge from High Heels. Despite a valiant effort, Iconic Star was overtaken and finished second, with Jungle Gril taking third place, more than three lengths behind.

In the Asifabad Plate, a race for horses rated 20 to 45, jockey Likith Appu demonstrated remarkable composure aboard Noble Heart, despite needing to change course a couple of times in the final furlong. Appu's steady handling helped Noble Heart secure a win against the heavily backed favorite, Crown Witness. The race was further complicated when Sadiya unseated her jockey, Kuldeep Singh Jr., leaving the riderless horse to run in front of the field and causing uncertainty among the other jockeys.

Sucker Punch led the field into the straight, with Crown Witness mounting a strong challenge. Appu initially attempted to navigate Noble Heart along the rails but found his path obstructed and was pushed out by Crown Witness. Despite these obstacles, Noble Heart showed superior ability and resilience, eventually winning comfortably over Crown Witness. Sucker Punch, who had led for a long time, finished third, more than eight lengths behind the winner.